Breaking: SOECHTING Steps Down

[art3]

just hear tx dem chair SOECHTING is stepping down april 22nd. this will be interesting. anyone know who will replace?

[merci_me]

1. Text of his letter

Dear Friend,

As you know, several months ago I announced I would not be seeking re-election as the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party in order to devote more time to both my family and law practice. As it happens, things are changing. I have been given the exciting assignment of heading up a new section at our law firm, an opportunity that will unfortunately, demand a greater portion of my time and energy. Because of this opportunity, coupled with the desire to spend more time with my wife and children, I will be stepping down as Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party effective April 22, 2006.

Of course, the next several months are critical toward the success of our convention, and the Party will need solid leadership during this time. Accordingly, I will call for an election to be held at the April 22nd meeting of the SDEC to elect a new chair.

In closing, I want to say how much I have enjoyed my time as Texas Democratic Party Chairman. I consider each and every one of you a friend, and I certainly intend to remain actively involved in Democratic politics and the effort to turn Texas blue!

Though I will see each of you on Saturday, I want to take time to personally invite you to a reception at the Crystal River Inn in San Marcos that some friends are hosting for me on Friday night from 7:00-10:00pm. Please join me for some beer, wine, barbeque and great music by one of my good friends, Grant Mazak.

If you have any questions between now and then, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Charles Soechting

Chair, Texas Democratic Party

PS This weekend, I hope you enjoy all the wonderful sights and sounds that San Marcos has to offer.

[johncoby2]

4. I've heard good things about Richie

Many I have talked with have Maxey and Richie as neck and neck, but would put Richie over Glen by a very slim margin.

One of the problems is Maxeys company that would provide a conflict.

[merci_me]

5. I don't really know either of them enough to have a preference,

but I had assumed Maxey would be supported by several people I knew. Yet at the Harris County Democrats Grassroots Workshop last month, I was taken by surprise when some of us were discussing the then-draft movement for Maxey and several people who I assumed would be supporting him were absolutely opposed.

I figure I'll wait first to see if I'm going to be a delegate to state, and if so, wait to see who all is running. Who knows, once he loses in the run off, Gene Kelly may be tossing his Panama hat and his cane into the race. j/k

[crispini]

6. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

:banghead:

Sorry, if I hear any more about Gene Kelly I'm gonna blow a gasket. :7

[crispini]

2. It's whoever the SDEC appoints.

Who was the probable fav for them to appoint? Wasn't it Charlie Urbina-Jones? Anyone remember?

[PDittie]

3. I'm guessing Boyd Ritchie

which is going to set up a floor fight at the convention between he and Glen Maxey.

Old Guard vs. Young Turks. It'll probably get ugly.

[Gman]

8. Never as ugly as when Calvin Guest ran for reelection in '76

But that's ancient history.

[sonias]

7. The standard "more time with my family" line

What's 3 more months. Why couldn't Charles have waited 3 months - it looks like a setup to me. He gives the appointed incumbent a better shot at winning in June. I don't like it one bit and it could backfire big time for the anointed/appointed one.

Who wants to place their bets now that Ritchie gets the appointment. Business as usual at the TDP.

Sonia

[crispini]

9. of COURSE it's a setup

dur! :D

[nick_DFT]

10. I find Coby's comments entertaining...

or actually, his subject line.

In reading blogs, I do not see anyone say anything about Richie other than "I hear he is a great guy."

As opposed to Maxey who people all know, because he is out in the community.

I am so sick and tired of people whining about things not being totally sugar-coated.

I would much rather have someone tell it like it is. But maybe that's just me. I think Sonia is on board...lol.

[crispini]

11. Well, I have to admit,

that having been through the Recent Unpleasantness up here in Dallas County, I am perhaps more cynical than most. However, I am very glad for that experience, because absolutely nothing surprises me anymore. :evilgrin:

I have also learned that if you know in advance that the meeting will be... ahem... "interesting" ... bring a flask, it makes everything so much more easier. :P

[NoPasaran]

12. I've said this before

And I'll probably say it again: I wish that supporters of Boyd Richie and Charles Urbina-Jones could talk up what their candidates have to offer rather than just finding some reason to trash Glen Maxey.

I want to hear more than someone is a "Good Democrat". I know lots of those "G-Ds" who seem to have gotten that title because they were once patted on the head by Ann Richards or LBJ or Sam Rayburn and are otherwise about as active as potted plants.

I want to know where they want to take the party. I have a pretty good idea what Maxey wants to do, not only because I know him, but because he has a WEBSITE. I understand that not everybody in Texas is online; I know that even among those who are, some don't have broadband. But the use of the internet in politics is going to increase rather than decrease, and the fact that there isn't any www.richieforchair that I can find makes me wonder how much of a commitment he has to carrying out the sort of technological revolution we so desperately need.

I have had real disagreements with Maxey. I am working against his candidate in HD-47 as we speak. But of the candidates for chair, he looks to me to be the one most likely to drag this party forward.